Bardonecchia: Ski Slopes, Alpine Valleys and Village Life
Bardonecchia is a mountain town in Piedmont, near Italy’s border with France. Set in the upper Susa Valley, it is a ski resort with a life beyond the slopes: an older village center, a busier shopping street, and valleys that draw hikers and cyclists in summer. The town hosted snowboarding events during the 2006 Winter Olympics, but it feels more like a working Alpine town than a purpose-built resort. Its rail connection to Turin makes it relatively straightforward to reach, while the surrounding mountains give visitors plenty to explore once they arrive.
A town at the meeting of Alpine valleys
Old streets and a practical resort center
Winter slopes and summer routes
What is there in Bardonecchia?
A quick overview of the most notable things you can find in Bardonecchia.
Borgo Vecchio
Bardonecchia’s older village quarter has narrow streets, traditional buildings and a quieter pace than the resort areas.
Campo Smith
This lift base is a center for skiing in winter and mountain activities in summer.
Jafferau ski area
Slopes on the opposite side of the valley give skiers a different mountain setting from Campo Smith.
Valle Stretta
This nearby valley leads across the French border to hiking routes, mountain refuges and high Alpine scenery.
Rochemolles valley
A side valley above town contains the hamlet of Rochemolles, a reservoir and routes into the mountains.
Forte Bramafam
A restored mountain fort above Bardonecchia houses exhibits on its military history.
What to see in Bardonecchia?
Notable places and attractions connected to Bardonecchia.
Forte Bramafam
This late-19th-century fort overlooks the valley and can be visited for its defensive works and military-history displays. Check opening dates before going.
Church of Sant’Ippolito
The parish church is a landmark of Borgo Vecchio and a natural stop while exploring the old streets.
Campo Smith
The town’s main ski base is worth a look even if you are not skiing, with lifts rising directly toward the mountains.
Lago di Rochemolles
The reservoir in the Rochemolles valley makes a scenic destination on an outing above Bardonecchia.
Lago Verde
This small green-hued lake is a popular walking destination in nearby Valle Stretta, across the border in France.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Direct rail access from Turin makes a car less essential for reaching town.
- ✓Ski areas and mountain trails are close to the settlement.
- ✓The old village gives Bardonecchia a character beyond its resort facilities.
- ✓Separate valleys provide a good range of summer walks and scenery.
- ✓Shops, restaurants and ski services make it a practical mountain base.
Cons
- −Moving between ski areas and outlying trailheads can take planning without a car.
- −Winter weekends and holiday periods can be busy.
- −Mountain weather can change quickly, including in summer.
- −Snow conditions can vary considerably between town and the higher slopes.
- −Some high roads, trails and attractions are seasonal or weather-dependent.
Location
Bardonecchia is located in Piedmont.
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